A two-year-old girl died at the hospital after being removed from life support, approximately one month after she was admitted in critical condition. She was found unresponsive at home by her mother's paramour while the mother was at work. First responders noted she was bruised and scarred, and hospital staff documented extensive injuries including new and old fractures, injuries to her vagina and rectum, brain injuries, possible liver injuries, abrasions, and bruises. The cause of death was blunt force trauma due to physical abuse. The child's older siblings (ages 5, 6, and 7) reported that the paramour did not like the toddler, that they witnessed him punch her, and they disclosed physical and sexual abuse by the paramour. They also stated their mother knew of the abuse. DCFS indicated both the mother and paramour for multiple forms of abuse, and the mother for inadequate supervision. The paramour is in jail awaiting trial for murder. Approximately seven months before her death, a DCFS investigation involving the family had been unfounded.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
The fatality report states that "the paramour told them he placed the toddler in the bathtub to wake her up after he found her unresponsive" and that "Medical staff found fluid in the toddler's lungs." While the cause of death was blunt force trauma, the combination of the child being placed in water and fluid found in the lungs raises the possibility of a near-drowning or submersion event, though this is not definitively characterized as a drowning incident.
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The fatality report explicitly states that "DCFS also indicated the mother for inadequate supervision (#74)."
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The fatality report states the cause of death was "Blunt force trauma due to physical abuse." The siblings reported "they saw him punch her." Extensive injuries documented include fractures, brain injuries, liver injuries, abrasions, and bruises—all consistent with inflicted injury.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
The fatality report explicitly describes sexual abuse. It states that the toddler had "injuries to her vagina and rectum," that the siblings "disclosed physical and sexual abuse by the paramour," and that DCFS indicated the paramour for "sexual penetration (#19); and sexual molestation (#21)."
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
The fatality report documents "brain injuries" and DCFS indicated the paramour for "head injuries by abuse (#2)." While the specific terms "shaken baby syndrome" or "abusive head trauma" are not used, the indication of "head injuries by abuse" in a 2-year-old is substantively equivalent to abusive head trauma.
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
The fatality report describes a pattern of sustained, deliberate cruelty. The toddler was found "bruised and scarred" with "new and old fractures," indicating abuse over an extended period. The siblings reported the paramour "did not like the toddler and they saw him punch her," suggesting targeted, ongoing violence. The mother reported that "a few weeks earlier, she began to see bruises on the toddler." The combination of repeated physical beatings, sexual abuse ("injuries to her vagina and rectum," "sexual penetration," "sexual molestation"), and the paramour's apparent animosity toward this specific child constitutes prolonged, deliberately cruel treatment extending well beyond a single incident of abuse.
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report states that "DCFS indicated the toddler's mother and the paramour for death by abuse (#1)" along with multiple other abuse allegations. The mother was also indicated for "inadequate supervision (#74)." The mother's knowledge of and failure to protect the child from abuse is documented: the siblings "disclosed physical and sexual abuse by the paramour and stated their mother knew of the abuse."
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
The fatality report identifies the alleged perpetrator as "Mother's paramour." It states that "The siblings reported the mother's paramour did not like the toddler and they saw him punch her" and that DCFS indicated both the mother and the paramour for numerous forms of abuse. "The paramour is in jail awaiting trial for murder."
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
The fatality report describes a prior DCFS investigation in February 2022, approximately 7 months before the child's death in September 2022. The report was about the siblings' school absence, the mother's alcohol use disorder, and the family's unknown whereabouts. "DCFS unfounded the investigation for substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by neglect (#60)." This investigation preceded and is separate from the investigation that arose from the child's fatal injuries.
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The fatality report states "The paramour is in jail awaiting trial for murder."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report describes a prior arrest of the mother that is separate from the child's death. The CPI found "contact information from an arrest prior to the hotline report." Additionally, the 7-year-old recounted an incident where "her mother left the home, and her mother was later arrested" after kicking in a door during an argument with the maternal aunt. Both of these arrests predate and are separate from the child's fatal incident.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states that a hotline report alleged "the mother had an alcohol use disorder." The 7-year-old "reported the mother consumed alcohol, but she did not know the last time she witnessed her mother drink."
Notable Details
The fatality report details a significant systemic concern: DCFS conducted an investigation in February 2022 — approximately 7 months before the child's death — based on a report that the siblings had not attended school in six weeks, the mother had an alcohol use disorder, and the family's whereabouts were unknown. During the investigation, the mother falsely claimed she had enrolled the children in school in a neighboring state, but the CPI confirmed the children were not enrolled there. Despite this deception and concerning circumstances, DCFS unfounded the investigation after a single home visit where the children "appeared free of injuries or bruises." The pediatrician also noted that "the toddler was a new patient and missed her initial appointment," suggesting limited medical oversight. The report was produced by the OIG specifically because of this unfounded investigation occurring within one year of the child's death, highlighting a potential missed opportunity to intervene.
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